[Michael.S.Participant]

Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard will be the 2 dominating bigmen for the future, Andrew Bynum if he stays healthy can soon develop into a superstar, he already had some of the most polished moves on the block and he is very very young, he has no weaknesses as far as lowpost skills are concerned, he can knock down a baby jumper and sink freethrows too, he has a vast array of moves downlow, and always looks confident with the ball in his hands and always makes a good move/play, and can finish well with either hand,I also believe he has a perfect blend of finesse and power in his game. Now we all know Dwight Howard is the premeir young force in the paint and already an elite player, and arguably the best Center in the game, he is only going to get better and is still extremely young, unstoppable when he has the ball under the rim and can finish with contact and then some, he can in fact score the ball fairly easily, but imagine how unstoppable he will be when he learns some more post moves and develops other aspects of his game, wow, and it wont hurt that he is not only the most overwhelming force downlow in terms of strength but can run the floor like no other center in the game can, he is the fastest most athletic most agile center in the league.

What u think? Agree or disagree?

[JNixonParticipant]

Not quite. I think Dwight Howard and AL JEFFERSON are the best young centers in the game by far. Bynum is 3rd, he has to stay healthy. Everyone else are just high-upside (Greg Oden, Javale McGee, DeAndre Jordan most notably) guys with alot to prove.

[Michael.S.Participant]

I personally believe Jefferson is a PF, and im not high on him at all really, he will always be a good player on a bad team while Bynum will be bringing home the bacon

[JNixonParticipant]

They can still win a title w/o Bynum. Jefferson plays C, so that’s why I consider him a C. And yes, he might not win as much as Bynum, but if they switched teams would Bynum make Minnesota or the Boston teams Jefferson played on a winner?

[Michael.S.Participant]

lol, im not comparing the 2,and those are what-if scenarios, so they are irrevalant, the fact though is that Bynum is on the leagues best team while Jefferson is on the crappiest team, that won’t get him anywhere

[llperez]

I just can’t consider Jefferson a center even though I know that’s where he plays. He is listed at 6-10 wich means he’s probably 6-9. He plays below the rim and is an offensive player first and foremost. If it wasn’t KLove, the wolves would probably be looking for a center so they could move Al back to pf, which is probably where he would be playing for most teams.

As for Bynum, he looked like a superstar in the making each of the last 2 season’s before going down with an injury. In the 5 games before his last injury, he was averaging 26 pts, 14 rebs, and 2 blcks while shooting over 60%. He plays above the rim and has great hands. His touch is soft, he keeps the ball high and is even improving his left hand. He looked like he might be back yesterday, but like iggy said, we need to see him healthy. I’ve been telling people all off season that Bynum returning to full strength is more vital to lakers repeating this year then the addition of Artest imo.

[JNixonParticipant]

I mean, it’s hard if your a good big man and you have 3 of the top 50 players in basketball for your team to suck. Actually it’s impossible. I don’t think its fair to bring team records in the argument, because it was a question about who were the 2 best Centers in the future.

Jefferson is a C, he plays like 1 and that’s the position he plays, tough to say someone isn’t something they actually play full-time.

[McWinningParticipant]

i agree with Jordan i heard hes working extremely hard this off season and has an insane workout schedule. Oden has a lot of potential i think he could do better than Bynom this year i think Bynom is good but he hasn’t shown enough to me for me to think he will be that good.

[Michael.S.Participant]

Iggy I didn’t mention records, and actually i hate hearing about records/team accomplishments when discussing the greatness of a player, cause we all know how i feel about tmac, but players ARE defined that way through their career

[Michael.S.Participant]

Oden? that’s gotta be biased, Bynum hasn’t proved anything to you but Oden has?

[McWinningParticipant]

well hes had more playing time but he doesn’t have the athleticism or defensive presence of Oden i think hell be the better scorer but Oden is a better player i think i could see him getting 12 rebounds a game if he can stay on the court.

[JNixonParticipant]

You said that Jefferson will put up numbers on bad teams, but Bynum will “bring home the bacon”. That’s mentioning who’s team is better or bringing up records. I mean, for example, Derek Fisher has more rings than Mike Bibby, but you would say that Bibby’s had the more successful career right? Al Jefferson has been much more sucessful than Bynum over his career from a player production standpoint, even though Bynum has had the luxury of being on a better team.

[Michael.S.Participant]

athleticism is a wash, defensive presence? Oden won’t have one unil he stay out of foul trouble, Bynum is the superior player, Oden is pure potential right now

[Michael.S.Participant]

You said that Jefferson will put up numbers on bad teams, but Bynum will “bring home the bacon”. That’s mentioning who’s team is better or bringing up records. I mean, for example, Derek Fisher has more rings than Mike Bibby, but you would say that Bibby’s had the more successful career right? Al Jefferson has been much more sucessful than Bynum over his career from a player production standpoint, even though Bynum has had the luxury of being on a better team.

Yup your right i did say that, but it doesn’t help when your team completely sucks and you cant help get a W, for my example, A.I. and Tmac played on turrible teams but they could get their team the W anytime they wanted. Jefferson isn’t that type of player, hell score but doesn’t have an impact on the outcome, plus all players careers are defined by W’s and Championships, example: D-Wade’s should have been MVP season was defined by the W’s

[joe2BAParticipant]

No Brooke Lopez??? Shame. He is Brad Dougherty before injuries. He will be a steady top 5 center most of his career.

[JNixonParticipant]

That doesn’t matter if he could will his team to the W. And T-Mac and A.I.’s teams weren’t anywhere near as bad as these T’Wolves teams. They all had role-players and specialists on their teams, the T’Wolves are a team with a bunch of young players that don’t even compliment each other. That’s not Jefferson’s fault and I think that he’s very clearly been better than Bynum has been. Jefferson is a franchise player right now, and Bynum isn’t.

[Michael.S.Participant]

These 2 Young Center’s Will Be The “”Future””

[Michael.S.Participant]

anyways catcha later cause i got school tomorrow and im passed my bedtime by a mile

[Champzilla21Participant]

Haha i love how mikenike thinks bynum is better when thats a wash, Jefferson has averaged 22 pts and 11 rebs the past two seasons while being the number 1 option and being double teamed because he has no help at all, and bynum has averaged about 14 pts and 9 rebs and 42 games the past two, while having single coverage basically every possesion. Big men who are athletic and have knee surgeries have a less promising future then one whos never ever relied on athleticism and have 1 injury, jefferson will also always have better post moves then bynum, he also shoots about 74% from the free throw line, untill bynum puts an ENTIRE season together where he dominates ill take jefferson, if that happens you can call me on it

[Michael.S.Participant]

WHO THE HELL SAID BYNUM IS BETTER??? huh smart guy? if you morons read the topic before you post we wouldnt have this problem, again this topic is about the centers on the FUTURE, and I think we can all agree Bynum has more potential

[llperez]

Jefferson is better and has been better. I do think Bynum has more potential because he can impact the game at the defensive end better. It’s close though. I thought Jefferson got hosed out of the all-star game last year. But like I said, i don’t consider Jefferson a center. Sometimes teams go with two pf’s or two pg’s or some combination of things if it best fits their team. The way I look at it where would they play on the majority of teams. I think Jefferson would play pf for most teams thus he is a pf in my book.

[JNixonParticipant]

No need for name-calling lol…this is a forum about something that may never come true (a topic about the future). I dont think Bynum will ever average 22 and 11 in the same season as Jefferson did last year, he has to prove he can get through a whole season and have high level production 1st. I don’t think Bynum will be better than Jefferson in the future honestly, that’s why I said he’s a top 2 young center in my 1st post. I read the title crystal clear, no “morons” here.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Jefferson only disadvantage to Bynum is height. Jefferson is actually one of the best low post players in the NBA. He just has a knack to score in the low post. If Minny gets good point guard play than Jefferson may finally make an ALL star game. Jefferson needs to work on his defense though. Dwight Howard isnt much taller than Jefferson but is more athletic. Jefferson is the better low post player obviously

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

i agree with iggy completely… jefferson is better in every aspect of the game than bynum… better post moves.. softer touch… better defense… and his stats prove it…

[TheAlchemist]

mikenike….shush. Confidence Okeke is the next great centre. And then DeAndre Jordan and JaVale McGee.

[lalailaParticipant]

thgis debate is for years to come , and they with dwight will dominate under the basket all next decade…Al is PF because of versatility, jump-shot, height..and he is top5 for me just for now and might THE BEST in 2-3yrs..23-11?are you kiddin, thats strong,m and he did it at 23 years old!!! he is MVP caliber player and in next 3-5yrs he will start to win, his time will come then,

[Pistol Pete. The PelicanParticipant]

i agree, I think bynum and howard, will be the 2 great(for their time) centers of this decade. I personally don’t think you can count jefferson because if you did you would have to count amare, and amare is definitely better than jefferson. But Oden if he can fulfill his potenital will be better than Bynum and that’s if. Because he provides more of a change on defense,

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Jefferson is a power forward in regard to NBA height, size and skill set, but he’s had to play center due to his teams’ lack of size. He’s had to play center his entire NBA career thus far, so I have no problem with him being classified as a center at this point.

Jefferson is a great low post scorer (probably the best in the NBA), rebounder and is the better center at this point, but since we’re talking about the future and potential, I feel that Bynum will be better. The reason is because of Bynum’s size and defensive potential. IF Bynum can stay healthy, he has the potential to become a complete center. I see him being a center who can average 20+ points, grab 10+ rebounds and control the paint defensively. Jefferson just doesn’t have the size, athletic ability or defensive presence of Bynum.

Howard is the obvious top choice when talking about the future at center. In my opinion the second spot will be up for grabs. It’s between Bynum and Oden. A lot of people criticize Oden and say he’s more injury proned than Bynum, but Bynum has had not one, but TWO MAJOR knee injuries. He said himself that he’ll wear that big knee brace for the rest of his career. IF both players stay healthy, then I feel it’ll be really close. Bynum has the potential to be the more complete center overall, but Oden has the potential to be so dominant defensively that he can make up for not being as skilled on the offensive end as Bynum. It’ll be really close.

Here’s another bold predicition… If Bynum and Oden can stay healthy and reach their full potential, they’ll challenge Howard for that top spot.

[gregoden08Participant]

Oden over Bynum any day…Oden just physically dominates players. Now, I’ve heard that his post game has improved and he isn’t making the silly fouls like he used to. I know we’ll have to wait until the regular season, but I’d take Oden if I was going to start a team.

Mike-Oden is not only potential man. He’s already proved that he can be one of the best big men when he stays out of foul trouble. I know that’s a big thing, but it does take centers a year or two to get used to the NBA.

I’m not hating on Bynum…He just seems soft to me. He seems more content taking the jumper than going in the post. And, I don’t really think Bynum is that much further ahead of Oden in the scoring department. When Oden and Bynum played against each other, Oden outplayed him. Bynum couldn’t contain him and on the other end Oden used his strength to force Bynum into shooting some tough shots.

Both have plenty of upside, and both of them have faced similar problems early in their careers, but I feel that Oden can be the second best, or maybe even the best center in the league.

[Champzilla21Participant]

Well if u want to get into the argument that jefferson is not a center hes a pf, why doesnt any one call duncan a center over a pf, hes only played pf when robinson was intown for the first few years and since then hes taken the jump ball, and guarded the other teams opposing center. I dont consider him a pf

[sheltwon3Participant]

Oden is the better overall prospect. He has the potential to have Howard’s defense and Bynum’s offense. His athleticism is maybe a few points off of Howards but he is a legit 7 footer and Howard is more like 6’10” or 6’10.5. Also I think Al Jefferson is 6’9.5″ so anyone saying he cant be a Center and then say Howard is a top Center is not being honest with themselves. Howard measured at 6’9″ with no shoes at the draft camps and Jefferson measured at 6’8.5″ with shoes you have 6’10.25″ and 6’9.75″ They were both young so it is possible that both grew at least a half inch since they came in and both has long reaches. with shoes Howard could be close to 6’11” now and jefferson would be close to 6’10.5″ Neither is bad for a center given their high reach

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

The reason I think Howard is a top center and Jefferson won’t be a top center and really isn’t a center to begin with is because of more than just height. It’s about the way they play and the physical tools each player possesses. At the 2004 NBA Draft Combine, Howard measured 6′ 9″ without shoes and 6′ 10.25″ with them, while Jefferson measured 6′ 8.5″ without and 6′ 9.75″ with. Of course both players were drafted straight out of high school and have probably grown since then (Howard is now listed at 6′ 11″ and Jefferson at 6′ 10″), but yes… The height is close. Here’s what you’re not saying though and that is…

Howard is a freak of nature and regardless of height, he has every single physical attribute to be a dominant center.

Wingspan – 7′ 4.5″
Reach – 9′ 3.5″
No Step Vert – 30.5
No Step Vert Reach – 11′ 10″
Max Vert – 35.5
Max Vert Reach – 12′ 3″
Agility – 11.21
Sprint – 3.14

Jefferson
Wingspan – 7′ 2.5″
Reach – 9′ 2″
No Step Vert – 28.5
No Step Vert Reach – 11′ 6.5″
Max Vert – 30.0
Max Vert Reach – 11′ 8″
Agility – 13.08
Sprint – 3.29

Jefferson does have a nice wingspan and reach, which has allowed him to play center and defend the position decently, BUT… He’s not comparable to Howard. Howard’s wingspan and reach are longer, and he tested unhuman like for his size. THAT’S what will allow Howard to be a dominant center, especially defensively. Howard can simply dominate the paint due to his physical attributes in ways that Jefferson will never be able to. He can get to balls and cover ground that Jefferson can only dream of. Yes, Jefferson can play at center, but based on his overall physical attributes and style of play, he’s probably best suited for power forward on the NBA level. Howard is only 6′ 10.25″, but his physical attributes allow him to play like a 7+ footer.

[AirJuggernaut]

stop hating on Big Al
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrjhmi9z9M0
no defense though 🙁

[Dtay2152Participant]

jefferson is better than bynum. no question. other teams bigs are busy trying to stop gasol and odom bynum has alot of open looks while jefferson is constantly doubed. but i think oden is gona be a top 2 center in the league if he can stay healthy. he has looked real good this preseason. he has dropped 14 pounds since last season and has added alot of strength to his legs. he has worked on conditioning all summer and its paid off so far. watch some of the highlights of his preseason games oden shows a nice lilttle hook and even a face up jump shot. he has the strength to over power other bigs and has a soft touch around the basket. he has also started getting his athleticism back. in the first preseason game he blocked 4 shots, changed about 5, and intimidated everyone that dared challenge him in the paint. the only thing that can keep him from being successful is if he cant stay healthy.. and unfortunatly thats a big if. dont write off oden yet this will be the first season that he is healthy. hopefully his body wont work against him

[quincey hodges]

bynum is potenially better then jefferson but right now jeffereson is better..and you have to add brook to the list if you gonna put in mcgee and jordan..neither of which is a starter yet

[Author]

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